Wanted to give an enthusiastic endorsement for these.
S-Curved needles. Also known as serpentine post-mortem needles.
If you have a repair kit, one of these belongs in it. If you make things out of leather, you ought to get one. The shape of them makes sewing much easier, and the point will go through a kooky amount of stuff with ease. I've gone through 8 layers of 17337 webbing with it. 3 layers of buckskin. It slices right through. And the eye is big enough to handle some fairly hefty cord.
Available through Tandy Leather, or hopefully any other well stocked leather crafting store.
